the trouble with pinterest

 Here is the trouble with pinterest.  I look at it and see all these crafty, creative, cute ideas for projects, home decor, baking, sewing, you name it....and I think I can do it.  Based on what I am not sure. 
So, I decided it would be so fun to make Tatum a little mermaid softy doll.  And it would be "easy and inexpensive". 
May I present attempt number 1:  Bethany the "a shark bit off one of my arms and then I went to clown school" mermaid.  I do not know what is up with her lips or what happened to her other arm, when I was cutting it out she had two.  I feel like she has hope and I still have 8 days to come up with a decent mermaid but it will not be easy (or inexpensive)

R on the other hand wanted to surprise us with a treat and so he went to the bakery and bought a beautiful cake.

Perfect product.

Hmmm??

Happy 19th Birthday Jenna!!

Nineteen things about Jenna

1.  Jenna is a mermaid, she is fast and graceful in the water.  I love to watch her swim.
2. She is an artist and draws well.
3. Jenna is a fashionista and knows how to put together cute outfits.
4. She is bubbly and fun.
5. She is a linguist, and has studied many languages...actually I am not sure that she speaks any of them but she likes to study them :)
6. She is a hard worker.
7. She is always happy.
8. She cares about people and treats them well.
9. She makes everything more fun.
10. She loves the outdoors and loves adventure.
11. She is smart.
12. She is funny and makes me laugh.
13. She is thoughtful.
14. She is always up for an adventure.
15. She likes to read.
16. She burns everything she cooks (or at least she did 6 months ago)
17. She is a musician and has the gift of music in her heart.
18. She is a true friend.
19. Jenna isn't afraid to try new things.

I am delighted she is my daughter and could not be more proud of her, she is who I want to be when I grow up :)  Happy Birthday Jenna!!!

getting closer

Christmas is almost upon us!  We are almost ready.

I have the gifts wrapped and under the tree
boxes shipped to where they need to go
turduken ordered for Christmas dinner
cards bought...but not sent
menu in mind

I have not:
written my talk for Christmas morning
taken care of snokards (what E called stockings when he was 2)
or done anything about our charlie brown outside lights

Ho Ho Ho!!

duet

The girls had their Christmas piano recital tonight.  They ran through their song before hand.  They each had two solo pieces and then they had their duet.

The evening went really well.  They played well and it was a nice evening.

Fireside

 Last night we had a special fireside at our house.  A lot of the girls were able to make it and we had a wonderful time visiting and discussing matters of eternal importance and then eating yummy treat.  I made wassail, Sharon and Rachel both brought treats and I begged Laura to make these cute Christmas mice. 

I love our young women, they are such valiant, lovely, good girls and are really striving to do what is right.  It is a huge blessing in my life to be able to work with them.

Christmas Tree

 When we got home the plan was to go get a Christmas tree.  Well we got home a little later than anticipated and made it over to the lot after it closed.  This was a huge bummer and we were all disappointed.  We drove around a bit looking for the tell tale bonfire warmly beckoning customers to peruse their lots and chose a tree.  We lucked out and finally found one shortly before it closed and chose a beautiful tree. 

 We brought it home and decorated it then tucked the children into bed later than we wanted but they were happy and had a great day.  

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Christmas

Gingerbread Mount Vernon

chocolate demonstration

Tom the pardoned turkey

We went to Mount Vernon today.  I love going there and have wanted to visit at Christmas time since we moved here.  Surprisingly it's difficult to find a free Saturday but we did it today!  Yeah.  It was a really good family day.  We started out the morning by going to tithing settlement.  We got to visit with many friends while we waited our turn, then had a good visit with the Bishop. 

As soon as we were done we headed off to Mt Vernon.  I thought it would be super cold out but really it was quite nice, cold but nice and sunny.    When we were there last month with Anna we saw a fleet of gingerbread bakers working on a replica of the mansion and grounds.  Today we got to see the finished product and it was just beautiful and amazing.  We stood there for a long time taking in all the details and really marvelling at the skilled craftsmanship.  Now I am ready to make a gingerbread house of our own :)

When GW was living there he enjoyed exotic animals and once paid quite a sum ($1.25) to bring a camel on the grounds for his guests and grandchildren to enjoy.  Every December there is a Christmas camel on the farm and he was a delight.  Friendly and sweet, he gave kisses and charmed the visitors.  We so enjoyed meeting him.

There was also a wonderful chocolate demonstration, the presidentially pardoned turkey, all the regular animals, the winter garden and a real high light, the 3rd floor was open for touring and the whole place was decorated for Christmas. 

We had a really fun time.  Ethan liked rolling down the lawn- over and over again.  Lu liked it all.  H didn't say but was happy and cheerful all day so I think she liked it all too.  My favorite was Aladdin and the gingerbread house and Mr. liked the mansion tour.

our kids rolling on the lawn

Aladdin the Christmas camel